Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. New Living Translation I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down. English Standard Version For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Berean Standard Bible This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. Berean Literal Bible Therefore I write these things being absent, so that being present I should not treat you with severity according to the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. King James Bible Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. New King James Version Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction. New American Standard Bible For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. NASB 1995 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. NASB 1977 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, in order that when present I may not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me, for building up and not for tearing down. Legacy Standard Bible For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Amplified Bible For this reason I am writing these things while absent from you, so that when I come, I will not need to deal severely [with you], in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me [to be used] for building you up and not for tearing you down. Christian Standard Bible This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Holman Christian Standard Bible This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. American Standard Version For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down. Contemporary English Version I am writing these things to you before I arrive. This way I won't have to be hard on you when I use the authority the Lord has given me. I was given this authority, so I could help you and not destroy you. English Revised Version For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down. GOD'S WORD® Translation That's why I'm writing this letter while I'm not with you. When I am with you I don't want to be harsh by using the authority that the Lord gave me. The Lord gave us this authority to help you, not to hurt you. Good News Translation That is why I write this while I am away from you; it is so that when I arrive I will not have to deal harshly with you in using the authority that the Lord has given me--authority to build you up, not to tear you down. International Standard Version For this reason I am writing this while I am away from you: When I come I do not want to be severe in using the authority the Lord gave me to build you up and not to tear you down. Majority Standard Bible This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. NET Bible Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority--the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down! New Heart English Bible For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down. Webster's Bible Translation Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. Weymouth New Testament For this reason I write thus while absent, that when present I may not have to act severely in the exercise of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down. World English Bible For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBecause of this, these things—being absent—I write, that being present, I may not treat [any] sharply, according to the authority that the LORD gave me for building up, and not for casting down. Berean Literal Bible Therefore I write these things being absent, so that being present I should not treat you with severity according to the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Young's Literal Translation because of this, these things -- being absent -- I write, that being present, I may not treat any sharply, according to the authority that the Lord did give me for building up, and not for casting down. Smith's Literal Translation For this I write these things being absent, that being present I should not wound severely, according to the power which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for pulling down. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTherefore I write these things, being absent, that, being present, I may not deal more severely, according to the power which the Lord hath given me unto edification, and not unto destruction. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, I write these things while absent, so that, when present, I may not have to act more harshly, according to the authority which the Lord has given to me, for edification and not for destruction. New American Bible I am writing this while I am away, so that when I come I may not have to be severe in virtue of the authority that the Lord has given me to build up and not to tear down. New Revised Standard Version So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore I write these things while I am far away, so that when I come, I need not deal harshly with you, according to the authority which my LORD has given me, which is for your edification and not for your destruction. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Therefore, as I am absent I write these things, lest when I come, I deal severely according to the authority that my Lord gives to me for your building up, and not for your destruction. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor this reason, I write these things, while absent, that I may not, when present, use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction. Godbey New Testament Therefore being absent I write these things, in order that being present, I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction. Haweis New Testament For this cause, though absent, I have written these things, that when I am present I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction. Mace New Testament these things therefore I write to you being absent, that when I come I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction. Weymouth New Testament For this reason I write thus while absent, that when present I may not have to act severely in the exercise of the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down. Worrell New Testament For this cause, I write these things while absent; that I may not, when present, deal sharply according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not casting down. Worsley New Testament Therefore I write these things while absent, that when present I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Examine Yourselves…9In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection. 10This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. 11Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.… Cross References 1 Corinthians 4:21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit? 2 Corinthians 10:8 For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. / When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus, / hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. 2 Corinthians 1:23 I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 2 Corinthians 2:9 My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 2 Corinthians 7:8-9 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it—for I see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time— / yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. 2 Corinthians 12:19 Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up. Romans 15:2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, Hebrews 12:5-6 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” Revelation 3:19 Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. Treasury of Scripture Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord has given me to edification, and not to destruction. I write. 2 Corinthians 2:3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 2 Corinthians 10:2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:20,21 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: … lest. 2 Corinthians 13:2,8 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: … Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; according. 2 Corinthians 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: Jump to Previous Absent Act Authority Building Cause Deal Destruction Edification Harsh Measures Need Order Overthrowing Power Present Reason Severe Severely Severity Sharp Sharply Sharpness Tearing Treat Use WriteJump to Next Absent Act Authority Building Cause Deal Destruction Edification Harsh Measures Need Order Overthrowing Power Present Reason Severe Severely Severity Sharp Sharply Sharpness Tearing Treat Use Write2 Corinthians 13 1. Paul threatens severity, and the power of his apostleship, against obstinate sinners.5. And, advising them to a trial of their faith, 7. and to a reformation of their sins before his coming, 11. he concludes his epistle with a general exhortation and a prayer. This is why I write these things while absent Paul often wrote letters to the churches he founded or visited to address issues and provide guidance. His absence allowed him to communicate thoughtfully and prevent immediate emotional reactions. This approach reflects the wisdom found in Proverbs 15:28, where the righteous ponder their answers. Writing from a distance also allowed Paul to address multiple issues comprehensively, as seen in his other epistles. so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter, addressing the church in Corinth. He is emphasizing his role and authority given by God to build up the church. 2. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse culture and significant Christian community. The church in Corinth faced various challenges, including moral and doctrinal issues. 3. The Corinthian Church The recipients of Paul's letter, a community of believers struggling with internal conflicts and needing guidance and correction. 4. Paul's Authority The divine authority given to Paul by the Lord to guide, correct, and build up the church. 5. Paul's Absence and Presence Paul writes from a distance, intending to visit the Corinthians and hoping to avoid severe disciplinary actions. Teaching Points The Purpose of AuthorityAuthority in the church is meant for edification, not destruction. Leaders should use their God-given authority to nurture and strengthen the faith of believers. Constructive Correction Correction should aim to build up rather than tear down. When addressing issues within the church, the goal should be restoration and growth. The Role of Absence and Presence Paul's strategy of writing before visiting shows the importance of preparing hearts and minds for constructive change. Addressing issues from a distance can sometimes prevent immediate conflict and allow for reflection. Balancing Discipline and Encouragement Church leaders must balance discipline with encouragement, ensuring that their actions reflect Christ's love and purpose for His church. The Responsibility of the Church The church community should be receptive to correction and guidance, understanding that it is for their spiritual growth and maturity.(10) Therefore I write these things being absent . . .--The words speak of an inner conflict, in which love has triumphed, not without pain, over feelings of bitterness and indignation. The storm has passed, and the sky is again clear. He does not recall what he has written, but he explains and half-apologises for it. It was better to speak with severity than to act. But even had it been necessary to act, as at one time he thought it would be, he wished them to understand that even then his aim would have been, as it was now, to restore them to their true completeness in Christ; not to inflict punishment for the sake of punishing, or as a mere display of power.Verse 10. - I should use sharpness. The word rendered "sharpness" is an adverb, like our "abruptly" or "precipitately." The only other passage of the New Testament where it occurs is Titus 1:13; but the substantive apotomia occurs in Romans 11:22 for "severity." Parallel Commentaries ... Greek This is whyτοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. I write γράφω (graphō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. these things ταῦτα (tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. while absent, ἀπὼν (apōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 548: To be absent. From apo and eimi; to be away. so that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. when I am present παρὼν (parōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3918: From para and eimi; to be near, i.e. At hand; neuter present participle time being, or property. I will not need to be χρήσωμαι (chrēsōmai) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 1st Person Singular Strong's 5530: To use, make use of, deal with, take advantage of. severe ἀποτόμως (apotomōs) Adverb Strong's 664: Sharply, severely. Adverb from a derivative of a comparative of apo and temno; abruptly, i.e. Peremptorily. in my use of κατὰ (kata) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. authority ἐξουσίαν (exousian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence. that ἣν (hēn) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Lord Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. gave ἔδωκέν (edōken) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. me μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. for εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. building [you] up, οἰκοδομὴν (oikodomēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3619: Feminine of a compound of oikos and the base of doma; architecture, i.e. a structure; figuratively, confirmation. not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. for εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. tearing [you] down. καθαίρεσιν (kathairesin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2506: Taking down, razing, destroying. From kathaireo; demolition; figuratively, extinction. Links 2 Corinthians 13:10 NIV2 Corinthians 13:10 NLT 2 Corinthians 13:10 ESV 2 Corinthians 13:10 NASB 2 Corinthians 13:10 KJV 2 Corinthians 13:10 BibleApps.com 2 Corinthians 13:10 Biblia Paralela 2 Corinthians 13:10 Chinese Bible 2 Corinthians 13:10 French Bible 2 Corinthians 13:10 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 13:10 For this cause I write these things (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |
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